2026 Draft: EDGE

[manxman2601]

1. I need to find out more about Minnesota's Anthony Smith. His pass rush win rate isn't great at 10.1%, but he's second in CFB sacks for the year.

2. Derrick Moore of Michigan got two more sacks today. Up to 9 on the year, one behind Cashius Howell. Moore's true pass set win rate is exactly the same as David Bailey.

3. David Bailey is up to 12 sacks, one behind Abdul Carter's total last year. He has three games to go. He's only had one game this year without a sack - against Oklahoma State when they only threw about 8 times in the game.

4. Arvell Reese has the best power 4 true pass set win rate at 40%. Bailey & Moore are on 37.8%.

 

[mayoclinic]

The old arm length question, again:

Texas A&M senior Edge should be considered a top NFL Draft prospect despite arm length

Despite his 30-inch arms, Texas A&M senior Edge has played at an elite level, and should be considered a Day 2 steal in the 2026 NFL Draft.

aggieswire.usatoday.com

 

[Clonamery]

The old arm length question, again:

Texas A&M senior Edge should be considered a top NFL Draft prospect despite arm length

Despite his 30-inch arms, Texas A&M senior Edge has played at an elite level, and should be considered a Day 2 steal in the 2026 NFL Draft.

aggieswire.usatoday.com

Age is the only question for me.

 

[manxman2601]

I promise this wan't intentional. You'll see what I mean below.

You know how I feel about needing a pass rusher but I wanted to see which EDGEs offer pass rush but also help us keep this stellar run defense that we have. So here are the best run defense grades amongst prospects that offer pass rush.

1. Reuben Bain (obvs) - 90.8
2. Zion Young - 86.7 (interesting)
3. Akheem Mesidor - 86.6 (sorry, it wasn't meant to be another Mesidor post)
4. Dani Dennis-Sutton - 85.7
5. Keldric Faulk - 85.0
6. Caden Curry - 83.6
7. Mikail Kamara - 82.1
8. Jaishawn Barham - 81.6
9. TJ Parker - 81.1
10. R Mason Thomas - 79.5

Clev Lubin, Quincy Rhodes, David Bailey and Kenyatta Jackson in the mid 70s.

 

[mayoclinic]

All roads lead to Akheem Mesidor.

 

[manxman2601]

All roads lead to Akheem Mesidor.

I daren't dream. If we draft him, I think i'll definitely retire.

Zion Young looking better though.

 

[manxman2601]

It’s reasonable to think there’ll be at least one Ohio State player drafted.

 

[mayoclinic]

Thank God, I was worried OSU might get overlooked in the draft.

 

[manxman2601]

Thank God, I was worried OSU might get overlooked in the draft.

I meant by us smart-ass.

 

[mayoclinic]

Sam Teets also mentioned Kenyatta Jackson in his week 10 risers:

Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Edge Ohio State

Jackson put together a seven-pressure game against Penn State that included two sacks and an additional half tackle for loss to accompany a pass defensed. Ohio State lined him up at 3-tech, 4i, 4-tech, and 5-tech. Upon review, much of Jackson’s production was opportunistic and came on unblocked reps or plays where he received a schematic advantage.

Jackson is a long-limbed, high-hipped 6’6”, 265 lb. defensive end. He lacks the bend to sink his hips and flatten his rush angle around the offensive tackle but builds speed quickly with his long strides. Jackson beat right tackle Anthony Donkoh with a swim move for a sack and quickly stacked and shed left tackle Drew Shelton for a run stop.

Jackson’s long arms help him generate quick separation in the run game. He lacks unique speed or range, but his motor runs hot in pursuit. Jackson is a limited prospect with some physical traits and enough high-end flashes to likely go in the fifth round range.

College Football 2026 NFL Draft Stock Up Week 10: Olaivavega Ioane, Malachi Lawrence & More

Check out four Stock Up selections and seven honorable mentions for Week 10

sportstalk.substack.com

On my list of Akheem Mesidor (all roads lead to Akheem Mesidor) day 3 alternatives.

 

[manxman2601]

Looking at the current roster, do you think Vrabel might have an edge rushing type?

Harold Landry - 6-2, 253lbs
K'Laivon Chaisson - 6-2, 255lbs
Bradyn Swinson - 6-4, 255lbs
Elijah Ponder - 6-3, 261lbs
Truman Jones - 6-3, 255lbs

Co-incidence or pattern?
but add Derrick Moore (Michigan) at 256lbs

Back early in this thread I noted that Derrick Moore fitted the Vrabel EDGE prototype. I lost a little bit of interest early because he wasn't getting much production at the start of the season. however, in week 4, he got 3 sacks against Nebraska. Since that time, including that game, he has nine sacks which puts him behind only Bailey & Howell amongst highly regarded edge rushers. He's also now ahead of Rueben Bain and David Bailey in terms of true pass set win rate.

He's more of a power rusher than a bendy edge guy. I both like and don't like that. It's harder to translate a power rusher from college to the NFL because facing NFL strength tackles is a wholly different creature than a college tackle. Ideally I want someone who has shown the ability to win in multiple ways. On the other hand, a power rusher does lend itself to the Vrabel system in that it doesn't give up the edge in the same way a bendy speed rusher does.

He's certainly back on the radar for me as a day two pick, probably 3rd round for me. I think he'd be competition for Swinson and Ponder rather than a walk on starter for us next year.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Back early in this thread I noted that Derrick Moore fitted the Vrabel EDGE prototype. I lost a little bit of interest early because he wasn't getting much production at the start of the season. however, in week 4, he got 3 sacks against Nebraska. Since that time, including that game, he has nine sacks which puts him behind only Bailey & Howell amongst highly regarded edge rushers. He's also now ahead of Rueben Bain and David Bailey in terms of true pass set win rate.

He's more of a power rusher than a bendy edge guy. I both like and don't like that. It's harder to translate a power rusher from college to the NFL because facing NFL strength tackles is a wholly different creature than a college tackle. Ideally I want someone who has shown the ability to win in multiple ways. On the other hand, a power rusher does lend itself to the Vrabel system in that it doesn't give up the edge in the same way a bendy speed rusher does.

He's certainly back on the radar for me as a day two pick, probably 3rd round for me. I think he'd be competition for Swinson and Ponder rather than a walk on starter for us next year.

6'3", 260 lbs., and no bend. Not a LB. I would have no idea how to translate that to the NFL. A true tweener?

 

[manxman2601]

6'3", 260 lbs., and no bend. Not a LB. I would have no idea how to translate that to the NFL. A true tweener?

He's a 4-3 defensive end. Same size as Chaisson and Landry.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

He's a 4-3 defensive end. Same size as Chaisson and Landry.

You are right. My miss. I am 6'2" tall, same as Landry. I always thought the DEs were taller and heavier.

I am tall enough and have no bend, so I guess I could have played DE in the NFL - never knew that.

 

[mayoclinic]

Sign the Sea-Beast!

 

[manxman2601]

You are right. My miss. I am 6'2" tall, same as Landry. I always thought the DEs were taller and heavier.

I am tall enough and have no bend, so I guess I could have played DE in the NFL - never knew that.

That's your BB mindset. We've all had a quarter of a century to be indoctrinated. It takes some shaking off.

 

[manxman2601]

Sign the Sea-Beast!

That would a really cool nickname for a footballer. Better for a Water Polo player I suppose but still cool.

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

 

[mayoclinic]

From Jeff Risdon at Draft Wire:

Roy Williams, EDGE, Northern Illinois

Tools. That's the first thing that stands out with Williams--he's a worthy inclusion on Bruce Feldman's "Freaks" list for his prodigious athleticism in a 6-foot-6, rocked-up 260-pound body. Williams still isn't posting monster stats for NIU, but he's definitely showing he understands how to use the tools to become a more effective all-around football player than he was as more of a splashy/inconsistent EDGE prior to 2025.

In games against Ohio (my alma mater) and Mississippi State, Williams was sturdy and responsible in run defense on every rep. He's improved his block-shedding with more than just wrestling moves, too. The closing burst and tackling power echo a younger Preston Smith. Williams is flirting with cracking my top 200, which is still largely unorganized until the end of the college regular season.

5 prospects dramatically elevating their NFL draft profiles in 2025

Five prospects dramatically elevating their 2026 NFL draft profiles in 2025 in the eyes of Draft Wire's Jeff Risdon

draftwire.usatoday.com